Ruth 1:8-13
Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back to your mothers’ homes. And may the LORD reward you for your kindness to your husbands and to me” (Ruth 1:8, NLT).

Friend, there are great lessons in the passage we read which I would not want us to miss. Although Naomi could not see a bright future for herself regarding marriage and family, she wished others well. She prayed for a brighter and better future for her daughters-in-law.

You see, Naomi knew what she did not have but she knew what was good and wished it for others. I could imagine her saying words like these: “I know things are not well with me and the Lord has made my life bitter (This is her perspective of the situation). But I know what a woman needs. A woman needs love and the security of her husband and a home and that is what I am praying and wishing for both of you.”

Friend, Naomi showed kindness, thoughtfulness and care. She acknowledged the kindness and love these young women had shown to her and expressed gratitude for it. With a grateful heart, she prayed that the Lord would surprise them with new homes.

The challenge to us today is: Do we wish others well when things are not well with us? Or do we want others to experience the challenges we have faced so that they could become like us in our struggles? If this is our attitude then we need the Lord’s help. Think on these things.

Your Turn

• Ask the Lord to search your heart and fill you with the attitude of love and care where these are lacking?
• Pray that you will be happy when others are blessed and not wish that evil would happen to them.

Song: Blessing and honour, glory and power be to the ancient of days.

Reading through the New Testament: Acts 22